Tag: ISIS

Syrian crisis – what ?

Do you know about the middle east problem ? Here is how simple it is :
  1. Syria is Iran’s friend.
  2. Saudi Arabia is Iran’s enemy.
  3. So, Syria is Saudi’s enemy.
  4. Hence Saudi supported Syrian rebels.
  5. US was Saudi’s friend.
  6. Hence Iran was US’s enemy.
  7. But Iran became US’s friend recently.
  8. Even then Iran is Saudi’s enemy.
  9. Hence Saudi supported Syrian rebels.
  10. But Syrian rebels became ISIS.
  11. US didn’t want to fight ISIS.
  12. Because Saudi would be angry.
  13. Hence Saudi attacked ISIS.
  14. But they didn’t want to destroy ISIS in full- brothers, you see.
  15. ISIS exists.
  16. The Syrian people became stateless.
  17. And so they went to Europe.
Still if you didn’t get what the problem is, start from Point 1.
Who bothers if people are killed?  As long as oil flows, all is well.
Did anybody mention ‘Syrian crisis’ ?

Rights and wrongs

I don’t fight ; nor do I argue. Not that I can’t but that these two are worthless pursuits. Why are these worthless, I shall explain now.

Each one of us is in a journey of our own. My journey is different from yours. It is a matter of chance that we meet. And when we interact, we bring our experiences to the table and showcase them. Obviously there would be differences in our experiences and in our lives and hence there wouldn’t be unanimity. I understand this and acknowledge the differences. So I don’t feel like arguing.

Let me give some examples : I have lived in India, USA, Japan and Singapore. In this journey over the past 20 years, I have met several people. And there have been differences as we are different persons. If I had chosen to argue and fight in each place , my life would have been hell all through. I acknowledge the differences and go ahead. And when I move to another country, it is a different set of people, different cultural values and aspirations. Thus I carry great memories from one country to another and friends too.

Same is the case with my beliefs- religious and otherwise. If I get into arguments with fellow travelers, I would get to carry memories of despicable and hostile people. So why fight or argue ?

I apply this principle not only for inter-continental travel but also for life in general. People come and people go. I consider each association as an opportunity to learn about a different culture, different standard of life and completely different approach to problems. If I can learn something from them, I learn and change my ways. If I don’t agree, I accept them as they are and proceed with my life.

I have this fundamental belief : We live for an insignificant time in an average planet that is powered by a half dying star. Our time and actions don’t change this cosmic story. So, there is no point in fighting or arguing.

You might ask if I don’t have an opinion on anything and that I don’t want to establish what I consider as true. I have definite beliefs and opinions. But they are not absolute. They, I believe, are true now. But they could change later. What is true today, is not true after a couple of years. Speaking to a person through a hand held device was not true some decades ago but is true now. So what is true and what is not ?

Take life for instance. A man-woman relationship, called “live-in” now, was not acceptable a couple of decades ago. It is being accepted slowly in our society. I have strong views on that. But I also know that this style of relationship would become a fully accepted one some decades later. So what is the point in fighting over it ?

My late professor used to say that no one ever won in an argument. It is that arguments are abandoned mid-way. I didn’t accept that when he told me many years ago but I see the wisdom in his words now.

If only the ISIS, Hamas, Al-Qaeda and the assorted groups know this, the world would become a better place.

What do you think ? Have you thought about these on these lines ? Do write back.

Kerala’s fatwa against ISIS

In a first of its kind in the world, a Sunni Muslim cleric from Kerala, India has issued a fatwa – religious direction – against the ISIS – the terrorist organization in Syria and Iraq. The cleric has denounced the outfit and has condemned its activities as even anti-Islam. 

The cleric, his followers, the state of Kerala and the Union of India need to be congratulated for having been bold enough to take a stand even when Chuck Hagel, the US Secretary of Defence had said that ISIS was beyond his imagination. Even progressive leaders who have no religious inclination have refrained from making any noise on ISIS. 

The contents of the cleric’s fatwa are noteworthy. He says that the outfit was causing harm to Islam itself. He has also denounced any support to the organization. and supporting it was forbidden and such support was against the basic tenet of the religion.

Extremely bold step indeed. Hope the Shahi Imam of Jamma Masjid in Delhi and the other top leaders of the different congregations pay attention to the Kerala cleric.

Kerala is truly God’s own country.

 http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/muslim-cleric-in-kerala-issues-fatwa-against-islamic-state-584286?pfrom=home-lateststories

Kerala's fatwa against ISIS

In a first of its kind in the world, a Sunni Muslim cleric from Kerala, India has issued a fatwa – religious direction – against the ISIS – the terrorist organization in Syria and Iraq. The cleric has denounced the outfit and has condemned its activities as even anti-Islam. 

The cleric, his followers, the state of Kerala and the Union of India need to be congratulated for having been bold enough to take a stand even when Chuck Hagel, the US Secretary of Defence had said that ISIS was beyond his imagination. Even progressive leaders who have no religious inclination have refrained from making any noise on ISIS. 

The contents of the cleric’s fatwa are noteworthy. He says that the outfit was causing harm to Islam itself. He has also denounced any support to the organization. and supporting it was forbidden and such support was against the basic tenet of the religion.

Extremely bold step indeed. Hope the Shahi Imam of Jamma Masjid in Delhi and the other top leaders of the different congregations pay attention to the Kerala cleric.

Kerala is truly God’s own country.

 http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/muslim-cleric-in-kerala-issues-fatwa-against-islamic-state-584286?pfrom=home-lateststories

Stupidity and Idiocy

Stupidity is related to Idiocy.

Stupidity is defined as behaviour that shows a lack of good sense or judgement while Idiocy is explained as extremely stupid behaviour.

So I would define idiocy as being consistently stupid, each time more stupid than the previous time. No, I don’t mean Rahul Gandhi here. No use flogging a dead chameleon. There are better stupids this time.

Let us get into the Idiocy game.

ISIS attacks Iraq and Syria. Saudi Arabia finances ISIS. Iran is expected to retalliate in case ISIS advances further. That means Iran could get advantage in Iraq.

But Saudi Arabia cannot let Iran gain any advantage. So, what is the best way to halt Iran’s advance into Iraq ? Divert attention from Iraq and make people focus on a common enemy.

Who else other than Israel ? If Israel is dragged into some conflict with Palestine Iran would be forced to divert attention from Iraq. So, what happened ? Israel was lured into Palestine. A small attack started. Then Hamas, the henchman, got into action and fired rockets into Israel. And Israel prepared for a full-fledged attack. Hamas’s operator Iran is now forced to concentrate only on Israel via Hamas thus effectively looking away from Iraq.

And the ISIS continues its advance in Iraq with Saudi support.

What does this mean to America ? The global policeman gets a ‘legitimate’ reason to send in troops into Iraq and provide stability so that Saudi Arabia could mind its business of minting money by manipulating oil prices.

Coming back to Idiocy. Who are the stupids who exhibit Idiocy ?

The common man, me, you and others who need to do a day job to eat two square meals and pay Saudi Arabia for oil.

Of-course Palestinians join us in idiocy.

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